5 NFL superstars who have made the biggest impact on their teams in 2022
For most teams to be successful in the NFL, they often need to have superstars on their roster. While football is a team game that requires chemistry and cohesive play, it's extremely difficult to win games consistently without some elite talent. The biggest superstars in the league sometimes have the ability to put their team on their backs and carry them in the face of adversity.
Certain NFL stars have shined brighter than the rest during the 2022 NFL season. While they may not necessarily be the five best overall players in the league, here are the five who have made the biggest impact on their teams' success this year.
#5 - Tyreek Hill, Miami Dolphins
It should come as no surprise that Tyreek Hill ranks second in both receptions and receiving yards during the 2022 season. He has been doing it his whole career -- first with Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs, and now with the Miami Dolphins.
What makes Hill a prime candidate for this list is the giant leap forward this season by quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and the Dolphins' offense. Their offense currently ranks fifth in total yards and third in passing yards, while Tagovailoa leads the NFL in passer rating. The addition of Hill is a big reason for their incredible progress.
#4 - Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals
The defending AFC Champion Cincinnati Bengals struggled to begin the 2022 NFL season. They lost their first two games and opened the year with a 2-3 record. They have gone 8-1 overall since then, including an active six-game winning streak entering Week 16.
Joe Burrow has been spectacular this season for the second year in a row. The 2022 season has been even more impressive considering all of the injuries their offense has suffered. He has been without Ja'Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, Tyler Boyd, Joe Mixon, and Hayden Hurst at different points this year. Burrow and the Bengals just kept rolling, despite struggling to be at full strength.
#3 - Christian McCaffrey, San Francisco 49ers
The San Francisco 49ers made a bold move during the 2022 NFL season prior to the trade deadline when they acquired Christian McCaffrey from the Carolina Panthers. He has been one of the best players in the league in the past but has spent most of the last two years injured.
The 49ers began the 2022 season with a mediocre 3-4 record, but have won seven consecutive games since. They have done so behind a dominant defensive unit and McCaffrey's dynamic contributions. This is even more impressive considering the 49ers are currently using third-string quarterback Brock Purdy after injuries to Jimmy Garoppolo and Trey Lance.
#2 - Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills
Josh Allen entered the 2022 season as one of the favorites to be named the NFL MVP, while the Buffalo Bills were among the favorites to win the Super Bowl. Both of those expectations are still possible entering Week 16.
Dominating opposing defenses should come as no surprise to Allen, but he has basically accounted for the entirety of the Bills' offensive production. He leads his team in passing yards, passing touchdowns, rushing yards, and rushing touchdowns. He also ranks among the top five quarterbacks in the NFL in all four categories.
#1 - Jalen Hurts, Philadelphia Eagles
Jalen Hurts helped the Philadelphia Eagles reach the NFL Playoffs last year. However, he entered the 2022 season with many questions surrounding whether he could be a long-term franchise quarterback. He appears to have silenced the critics, currently being the favorite to win the NFL MVP award, while the Eagles have the best record in the entire league.
Hurts has taken a huge step forward in establishing himself as one of the top dual-threat quarterbacks in the league. He ranks in the top 20 among all players in rushing yards, including the most among quarterbacks. He also ranks second in rushing touchdowns, trailing only running back Jamaal Williams.